Maya Rivis Alcohol at Underage Parties Interview

Parents Back Restricting Booze Supply To Teens

New research from health promotion foundation VicHealth shows most parents back tougher restrictions on the supply of alcohol to underage Victorians, as new laws come into effect.

Today's changes to the Liquor Control Reform Act include tougher requirements on parents hosting underage parties. The old Act required party hosts to gain consent from parents of underage kids, usually in the form of handwritten notes.

Now in addition to gaining consent, parents are required by law to actively police underage teens' drinking, including monitoring how much and what kind of alcohol they've consumed, if they've eaten and if teens are intoxicated.

VicHealth research shows parents want greater control over how and when their teen drinks, with 60 per cent of parents believing there are no circumstances where other parents of adults should supply booze to underage teens at parties.

The survey also showed that parents are unsure about the harm from alcoholic drinks on their teens and how best to introduce them to drinking, with only 37 per cent understanding it's best not to supply teenagers with alcohol to protect them from harm.

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter welcomed the changes to the Act and said parents needed support in how best to keep teens safe from harm from alcoholic drinks.

"The new Liquor Control Reform Act is great news for parents as it takes steps to prevent teenagers from drinking at risky levels at parties," Ms Rechter said.

"Our research clearly shows that parents want to be in charge of when, where and how much their kids drink. We all want our kids to come home safe from parties.

"We want parents to understand that under the new law they are responsible for the wellbeing of teenagers if they host a party with alcoholic drinks."

VicHealth Principal Program Officer for Alcohol Maya Rivis and parent of teenagers Annabelle and Thomas said it was really important for parents to know what they can and can't do under the new law.

"As a parent it can be really tricky hosting parties where alcohol is served. You need to think about getting consent from other parents as well as making sure kids aren't drinking too much," Ms Rivis said.

"We recommend that parents don't supply alcoholic drinks to underage teens – it's risky for their health, it can cause parties to get out of control and you need to be careful you comply with the law.

"If you are going to serve alcohol, for example at an 18th birthday, there are some things you really need to keep in mind.

"Make sure you get written consent from parents of underage kids, make sure you're clear that intoxication won't be tolerated and that anyone arriving drunk will be refused entry.

"It's also a good idea to register the party with police and of course make sure you serve lots of food and non-alcoholic drinks."

Ms Rivis said it was great to see the Act also covers licensed venues and alcohol delivery services.

"We know that alcohol delivery services are increasingly popular so it's great to see penalties for deliverers who knowingly sell alcohol to someone underage."

For more information about the changes to the Liquor Control Reform Act visit: https://www.vcglr.vic.gov.au/changes-liquor-control-reform-act-1998

Interview with Maya Rivis, VicHealth Principal Program Officer for Alcohol

Question: Can you tell us about the new tougher restrictions on alcohol supply to underage teenagers that parents are backing?

Maya Rivis: The changes to the Liquor Control Reform Act include tougher requirements on parents hosting underage parties.

The old Act required party hosts to gain consent from parents of underage kids, usually in the form of handwritten notes.

Now in addition to gaining consent, parents are required by law to actively police underage teens' drinking, including monitoring how much and what kind of alcohol they've consumed, if they've eaten and if teens are intoxicated.


Question: What are the currently restrictions on alcohol supply to underage teenagers?

Maya Rivis: The old Act required party hosts to gain consent from parents of underage kids, usually in the form of handwritten notes. But it didn't state how alcohol should be supplied and there was no onus on parents to supervise the consumption of alcohol.

Now in addition to gaining consent, parents are required by law to provide responsible supervision and actively police underage teens' drinking, including monitoring how much and what kind of alcohol they've consumed, if they've eaten and if teens are intoxicated.


Question: What does this mean for parents hosting underage parties?

Maya Rivis: As a parent it can be really tricky hosting parties where alcohol is served. You need to think about getting consent from other parents as well as making sure kids aren't drinking too much.

VicHealth recommends parents don't supply alcoholic drinks to underage teens – it's risky for their health, it can cause parties to get out of control and you need to be careful you comply with the law.


Question: What types of precautions can parents take when hosting underage parties?

Maya Rivis: If you are going to serve alcohol, for example at an 18th birthday, there are some things you really need to keep in mind.

Make sure you get written consent from parents of underage kids, make sure you're clear that intoxication won't be tolerated and that anyone arriving drunk will be refused entry.

Make sure there no activities that promote drinking like drinking games, and ensure that there are enough adults who are not drinking to supervise the party.

It's also a good idea to register the party with police and of course make sure you serve lots of food and non-alcoholic drinks.


Question: Why is it important to register house parties with the police?

Maya Rivis: When alcohol is served at parties things can get out of hand quickly.

It's a good idea to let police know about your party police are aware of the event and can provide timely assistance if things start to get out of hand.

By registering your party with police you can minimise the risks to safety such as violence, intoxicated guests, or gatecrashers.


Top Tips For Parent Party-Hosts:
Make your party a booze-free zone – plan party activities with your kids like games, karaoke, dancing, pool or movies
Register the party with the police. This can be done online using the Partysafe Registration Form, or at your local police station.
Make sure you have an insurance policy that includes public liability insurance.

If you're serving alcohol at a party:

Get underage guests to provide written consent from parents – and a phone number to back it up.
On party invitations, be clear if alcohol will be provided/permitted and your expectations on drinking behavior.
Emphasise that intoxication won't be tolerated – the purpose of the party is to have a good time, not to get drunk. Let kids know that you'll call the parents of anyone who gets drunk.
Refuse entry to anyone who arrives drunk.
Provide appropriate adult supervision and/or hire security. Supervising adults should not drink alcohol during the party.
If people bring their own alcoholic drinks, store them in an area so it is possible to supervise who is accessing the drinks. Ideally put all drinks behind a supervised bar area and require people to request their drinks from a non-drinking adult.
Provide lots of food and a wide variety of foods. Try to avoid serving very salty snacks as they make people thirsty and could cause people to drink more.
Provide lots of water and alternative drinks to alcohol. Make sure these drinks are easy to access, ideally easier to access than the alcohol.

Interview by Brooke Hunter
Photo by Gades Photography on Unsplash
Photo by Kelsey Chance on Unsplash
Photo by Michael Discenza on Unsplash